Method, apparatus, and system for teaching a person neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns

ABSTRACT

Methods for teaching a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern include attaching an optical beam-emitting device, such as a laser, to the body, defining a path on a specified surface, and causing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking the optical beam relative to the path. Such methods may be used to teach a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a basketball hoop. Apparatuses for teaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball include a strap or sleeve configured to be secured to an upper arm of a person, and a battery-operated laser device attached to the strap or sleeve. Such apparatuses may be free from external cables or wires extending between the laser and any other device, and may include a sleeve having a portion configured to be positioned over a hand of the person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to methods, apparatuses, andsystems for teaching a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, andfor developing muscle memory in the body of a person to enable theperson to consistently recreate such a neuromusculoskeletal motorpattern. More specifically, the present invention relates to use of adevice emitting an optical beam, such as a laser device, to teach aperson a desired form and technique for performing predefined motorpatterns, such as, for example, motor patterns associated with shootinga basketball, throwing a ball (e.g., baseball, football, etc.), swingingathletic equipment (e.g., golf clubs, baseball bats, tennis racquets),and for performing athletic maneuvers (e.g., gymnastic or tumblingmaneuvers, competitive diving maneuvers, etc.).

2. State of the Art

There are many situations in which it is desired to teach a person adesired form and technique for performing a particular, predefinedneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern. Such neuromusculoskeletal motorpatterns include, for example, shooting a basketball, throwing a ball(e.g., football, baseball, etc.), swinging a tennis racquet, swinging agolf club, swinging a baseball bat, gymnastic and tumbling maneuvers,competitive diving maneuvers, etc. Often, a person trying to learn aspecified technique for performing such a neuromusculoskeletal motorpattern is unable to recognize or comprehend the differences between themanner in which the person is actually performing theneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, and the manner corresponding to thespecified form and technique, as set forth by verbal instructions or byexample provided by a coach, trainer, instructional video, etc.Furthermore, it is often difficult for one person (e.g., a coach ortrainer) to verbally describe to another person (e.g., an athlete) themanner in which the other person's neuromusculoskeletal motor patternsdeviate from the specified or desired form and technique and, further,to explain to that other person how to change the neuromusculoskeletalmotor patterns so as to exhibit the specified form or technique.

As an example, it is readily accepted by many coaches and professionalsin the sport of basketball that a desired technique for shooting abasketball towards a hoop involves use of a primary shooting arm andhand of the body of the person to shoot the basketball towards the hoopwhile the other arm and hand are used to laterally stabilize thebasketball in the shooting hand during the act of shooting thebasketball towards the hoop. Furthermore, such a specified techniqueinvolves aligning the shooting arm (including the upper arm and theforearm) and hand in a vertical plane that is oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the floor and extends through the center of the hoop,and then shooting the basketball towards the hoop while attempting tomaintain the shooting hand and arm within this vertical plane throughoutthe shooting motion.

As the person learns to consistently align their shooting arm and handwith such a vertical plane and to maintain their shooting arm and handsubstantially aligned with the vertical plane while shooting thebasketball, the person's tendency to miss a shot to the left or to theright of the hoop (i.e., improper lateral direction of the shot) may besignificantly decreased. In such a case, the person merely needs toimprove the ability to shoot the basketball towards the hoop with proper“touch,” which involves the amount of force and vertical arc experiencedby the basketball when shot toward a hoop.

Novices, and even some professionals, however, may have a tendency todirect the elbow of their shooting arm laterally outward from a verticalplane and/or to move their shooting hand in a lateral direction acrossthe vertical plane as the person shoots the basketball towards the hoop,thereby increasing the tendency of the basketball to miss the hoopeither to the left or to the right. Small deviations in the technique orform of the person may cause the basketball to miss the hoop by asignificant margin to either the left or to the right. For example, forevery inch (or fraction of an inch) the shooting arm or hand of body ofthe person deviates from the vertical plane, the error may besignificantly increased or magnified as the basketball travels towardsthe hoop. In other words, if misalignments of one's shooting arm andhand causes the ball to travel along a path that laterally deviates amere 2° from the desired path, a shot needing to travel 18 feet beforereaching the basket may laterally deviate from its intended target bymore that 7.5 inches

Often, a coach or trainer will attempt to verbally explain ordemonstrate to a person a desired form or technique with limitedsuccess, due to the person's inability to recognize or understand thedifferences between their own neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern and theneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern associated with the desired form andtechnique, and due to the coach's or trainer's inability to clearlyarticulate how the person needs to change their form or technique.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved systems, apparatuses,and methods that may be used to teach a person a neuromusculoskeletalmotor pattern, such as, for example, the neuromusculoskeletal motorpattern associated with proper form for shooting a basketball towards ahoop, and for developing muscle memory in the body of the person toallow the person to consistently recreate that neuromusculoskeletalmotor pattern with proper form and technique.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention includes a method of teaching aperson a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern. The method includesattaching a laser device that is configured to emit a laser beam to thebody of a person. A path is defined on a specified surface, and theperson is caused to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motorpattern while tracking the laser beam emitted by the laser devicerelative to the path.

In another aspect, the present invention includes a method of teaching aperson proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop. Themethod includes attaching a laser device configured to emit a laser beamto the arm of a person, defining a path on at least one of a floor,wall, and ceiling, and causing the person to repeat a predeterminedneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern while tracking the laser beam emittedby the laser device relative to the path.

In yet another aspect, the present invention includes a system forteaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards ahoop. The system includes a strap or sleeve configured to be secured toan upper arm of a person, a laser device configured to emit a laser beamis attached to the strap or sleeve. The system further includes abasketball hoop and a surface having a visually defined or physicallymarked path thereon that is visually defined or physically markedrelative to a center of a basketball hoop and an intended position of aperson relative to the basketball hoop.

In still another aspect, the present invention includes an apparatus forteaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards ahoop. The apparatus includes a strap or sleeve configured to be securedto an upper arm of a body of a person, and a battery-operated laserdevice configured to emit a laser beam. The laser device is rotatablyattached to the strap or sleeve. Furthermore, the apparatus is free fromexternal cables or wires extending between the battery-operated laserdevice and any other device.

In an additional aspect, the present invention includes an apparatus forteaching a person proper technique for shooting a basketball towards ahoop. The apparatus includes a sleeve configured to be provided on anarm of a body of a person and a battery-operated laser device configuredto emit a laser beam attached to the sleeve. The sleeve includes a firstportion configured to be positioned over a hand of the body of theperson and a second portion configured to be positioned over an upperarm of the body of the person.

The features, advantages, and alternative aspects of the presentinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from aconsideration of the following detailed description considered incombination with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the present invention,the advantages of this invention may be more readily ascertained fromthe following description of the invention when read in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a person using a training device that includes adevice for emitting an optical beam to learn to shoot a basketballtowards a hoop using a specified form and technique according to oneexample of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a room in which a basketball court isprovided illustrating lines or paths defined on the floor, wall, andceiling of the room, which may be used to teach a person to shoot abasketball towards a hoop with a specified form and technique;

FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the room shown in FIG. 2A illustrating therelative position between the lines or paths and a basketball hoopdisposed in the room;

FIG. 3A is a view illustrating the training device shown in FIGS. 1A-1D,which embodies various teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional side view of the training device shown inFIG. 3A taken along section line 3B-3B shown therein;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another embodiment of a training devicethat includes an optical beam-emitting device disposed in a pocket on astrap;

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating a further embodiment of a trainingdevice that includes an optical beam-emitting device that is moveable inthree dimensions relative to a strap;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of atraining device that includes an optical beam-emitting device disposedin a pocket on a sleeve;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a training device inaccordance with another embodiment that includes an opticalbeam-emitting device attached to a sleeve that includes a relativelyrigid portion;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a training device inaccordance with yet a further embodiment that includes a laser deviceattached to a sleeve having a portion thereof configured to cover atleast a portion of the hand of a person using the training device, andthat may be used to teach the person proper technique for shooting abasketball towards a hoop; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a person using a system that embodies variousteachings of the present invention to learn to shoot a basketballtowards a hoop using a desired form and technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views ofany particular apparatus, system, or method, but are merely illustrativerepresentations which are employed to describe the present invention.Additionally, elements common between figures may retain the samenumerical designation.

As used herein, the term “neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern” means anymovement or sequence of movements of at least a portion of the body of aperson that includes both muscles and bones, the movement or sequence ofmovements being deliberately initiated and controlled by the central andperipheral nervous systems of the person.

As used herein, the phrase “tracking a beam relative to a path” meansactually tracking the impingement of a beam on a surface relative to adefined path as well as attempting to track the impingement of the beamon a surface relative to the defined path.

The systems, apparatuses, and methods of the present invention may beused to teach a person (e.g., one's self or another person) a desiredneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, and to develop muscle memory in thebody of the person, thereby allowing the person to consistentlyreproduce the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern using a specified formand technique. Furthermore, the systems, apparatuses, and methodsdescribed herein may be used to provide biofeedback training to aperson, thereby allowing the person to learn to consciously,voluntarily, and selectively control physiological responses of the bodyof the person associated with neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns thatthe person tends to at least partially perform subconsciously. Broadly,an optical beam-emitting device, such as a laser device configured toemit a laser beam, may be attached to the body of a person, a path maybe defined (defined in the mind of the person, physically marked, orvisually defined) on a specified surface proximate the person, and theperson may be caused to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletalmotor pattern while tracking the optical beam emitted by the opticalbeam-emitting device relative to the path. The systems, apparatuses, andmethods can be used to teach a person any desired neuromusculoskeletalmotor pattern without limitation. By way of example and not limitation,the present invention may be used to teach a person how to shoot abasketball, throw a ball (e.g., football, baseball, etc.), swing atennis racquet, swing a golf club, swing a baseball bat, bowl a bowlingball, perform gymnastic and tumbling maneuvers, perform competitivediving maneuvers, etc., each with a specified form and technique. As anexample, one particular manner in which the systems, apparatuses, andmethods of the present invention may be used to teach a person a desiredtechnique for shooting a basketball is described in detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a training device 10 that embodies variousteachings of the present invention may be attached to the arm 22 of thebody of a person 20 who desires to learn to consistently shoot abasketball towards a hoop using a desired form and technique. Thetraining device 10 may include an optical beam-emitting device, such asa laser device 12, secured to a strap 14, which may be wrapped aroundthe upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20. The laser device 12 maybe configured to emit a laser beam 13 (represented by a dashed line inthe figures). It is noted that, while various embodiments describedherein are discussed in conjunction with a laser device, other opticalbeam-emitting devices may be used. For example, a light emitting diode(LED) or other device might be used in various applications of thepresent invention to emit an optical beam (similar to the laser beam 13)which is discernable by a user or someone assisting them.

The posture of the person 20 is shown in FIG. 1A in what may be referredto as the “follow-through position.” The follow-through position is theposition of the body of the person 14 immediately after a basketball hasbeen released from the hands of the person 20 as the person 20 shoots abasketball towards a hoop. In the follow-through position, the shootingarm 12 of the body of the person 14 may be substantially extended andthe shooting hand 28 may be bent in a direction towards the posteriorside 26 of the shooting arm 22 of the person 14 (e.g., an angle of about90° to about 120° is defined between the palm 30 of the hand 28 and theforearm).

The laser device 12 may be aligned with the shooting arm 12 of the bodyof the person 20 while the person 20 is standing in the follow-throughposition. By way of example and not limitation, the laser device 12 maybe aligned such that the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12impinges on the palm 30 of the shooting hand 28 of the body of theperson 20 when the person 20 is standing in the follow-through position,as shown in FIG. 1A. Moreover, the laser device 12 may be aligned suchthat the laser beam 13 impinges on or near the center of the palm 30substantially along an imaginary line (not shown) extending along themiddle finger 32 of the shooting hand 28, across the palm 30, and downthe shooting arm 22 of the body of the person 20 when the person 20 isstanding in the follow-through position, as shown in FIG. 1A.

After the training device 10 has been attached to the upper arm 24 ofthe body of the person 20, the person 20 may use the training device 10to learn a desired form and technique for performing aneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern (e.g., to shoot a basketball), andfor developing muscle memory in the body of the person, thereby enablingthe person to consistently recreate that neuromusculoskeletal motorpattern. One manner in which the person 20 may use the training device10 will be described with combined reference to FIGS. 2A-2B and FIGS.1B-1D.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a room that includes a basketball courtor at least a portion thereof. As shown therein, the room may include afloor 38, a ceiling 40, a back wall 42, a first side wall 44, and asecond side wall 46. The room may further include a basketball standard50, which may include a hoop 52 (or rim) attached to a back board 54.One or more paths may be defined on at least one of the floor 38, theceiling 40, the back wall 42, the first side wall 44, and the secondside wall 46. In the presently described example, a defined path may besubstantially linear or it may include substantially linear segmentseach of which is disposed in a single two-dimensional plane.

By way of example and not limitation, a first path 60 may be definedthat includes a first linear segment 60A extending along the floor 38, asecond linear segment 60B extending substantially vertically along theback wall 42, and a third linear segment 60C extending along the ceiling40. A second path 62 may be defined that includes a first linear segment62A extending along the floor 38, a second linear segment 62B extendingsubstantially vertically along the back wall 42, and a third linearsegment 62C extending along the ceiling 40. Similarly, a third path 64may be defined that includes a first linear segment 64A extending alongthe floor 38, a second linear segment 64B extending substantiallyvertically along the back wall 42, and a third linear segment 64Cextending along the ceiling 40.

In additional embodiments, the first path 60 may include only one oronly two of the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C, the second path 62 mayinclude only one or only two of the three segments 62A, 62B, 62C, andthe third path 64 may include only one or only two of the three segments64A, 64B, 64C.

In is not necessary that three paths be defined relative to the hoop 52.Rather, any number of desired paths may be defined relative to the hoop52 on one or more of the floor 38, the ceiling 40, the back wall 42, thefirst side wall 44, and the second side wall 46.

FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the floor 38 and basketball standard 50illustrating the relative positions between the lines or paths 60, 62,64 shown in FIG. 2A and the hoop 52 of the basketball standard 50.Referring to FIG. 2B, the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path60 may be substantially disposed along or within a first two-dimensionalplane 61, the three segments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62 may besubstantially disposed along or within a second two-dimensional plane63, and the three segments 64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64 may besubstantially disposed along or within a third two-dimensional plane 65.The first plane 61, the second plane 62, and the third plane 63 each maypass through the hoop 52. Moreover, the first plane 61, the second plane62, and the third plane 63 each may pass through a center 53 of the hoop52.

Referring again to FIG. 2A, by way of example and not limitation, eachof the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path 60, the threesegments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62, and the three segments64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64 may simply be defined in the mind ofthe person 20, and not actually physically marked or visually defined onthe floor 38, the back wall 42, or the ceiling 40. In other embodiments,each of the three segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path 60, the threesegments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62, and the three segments64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64 may be actually physically marked onthe respective floor 38, back wall 42, and ceiling 40 using, forexample, tape, paint, or chalk. Furthermore, the color of the tape,paint, or chalk may be selected to provide a high degree of colorcontrast between the marked path and the surface on which the markedpath is provided. In yet additional embodiments, a first additionallaser device (not shown) may be used to visually define each of thethree segments 60A, 60B, 60C of the first path 60, a second additionallaser device (not shown) may be used to visually define each of thethree segments 62A, 62B, 62C of the second path 62, and a thirdadditional laser device (not shown) may be used to visually define eachof the three segments 64A, 64B, 64C of the third path 64. A laser devicemay be used to visually define a path on a surface by reflecting thelaser beam emitted from the laser device from the surface along thepath. In this manner, the visible, reflected laser beam visually definesthe desired path, even though there has been no physical modification tothe surface.

Moreover, a moveable additional laser device (not shown in FIG. 2A) maybe moved to any location and used to visually define a line or pathsimilar to the first path 60, the second path 62, and the third path 64at any desired position relative to the hoop 52. Such an additionallaser device may be, for example, attached to a shoe disposed on thefoot of the person 20 and oriented to visually define a line or pathsimilar to the paths 60, 62, 64. For example, if the person 20 typicallyshoots the basketball 18 using the right hand 28 (FIG. 1A), such anadditional laser device may be attached to the shoe disposed on theright foot of the body of the person 20. In such a configuration, theperson 20 may move to any desired location on the floor 38, and pointthe right foot of the body of the person 20 towards the hoop 52 suchthat the additional laser device visually defines a line or path on atleast one of the floor 38, the ceiling 40, the back wall 42, the firstsidewall 44, and the second sidewall 46. Similarly, if the person 20typically shoots the basketball 18 using the left hand, the additionallaser device (not shown) may be attached to the shoe disposed on theleft foot of the body of the person 20. In additional embodiments, sucha moveable additional laser device (not shown in FIG. 2A) may simply beplaced at any desired location, and need not be attached to a shoedisposed on the foot of the person 20. Optionally, such a moveableadditional laser device may be mounted to a tripod, or other mountingdevice.

With continued reference to FIG. 2A, the first path 60 may be used bythe person 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D) to practice shooting a basketball 18 (FIGS.1B-1D) towards the hoop 52 from a first position 70, such as at the foulline 39 marked on the floor 38 (i.e., to practice shooting “foul shots”or “free throws”), the second path 60 may be used by the person 20 topractice shooting a basketball 18 towards the hoop 52 from a secondposition 72 on the floor 38, and the third path 64 may be used by theperson 20 to practice shooting a basketball 18 towards the hoop 52 froma third position 72 on the floor 38. It should be readily apparent thata path may defined so as to allow the person 20 to practice shooting thebasketball 18 towards the hoop 52 from any position on the floor 38 andthat the paths described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B are merelyexamples for sake of illustration.

By way of example and not limitation, the person 20 may use the trainingdevice 10 together with the first path 60 to learn to consistently shootfree throws with a specified form and technique by standing at the firstlocation 70 on the floor 38 and repeatedly shooting a basketball 18towards the hoop 52 while tracking the laser beam 13 emitted by thelaser device 12 relative to the first path 60.

Referring to FIG. 1B, as the person 20 begins to shoot the basketball 18towards the hoop 52, the person may direct the laser beam 13 onto alocation on the floor 38 along or proximate the first segment 60A of thefirst path 60 by positioning their arm 22 such as depicted in FIG. 1B.As the person 20 moves from the position shown in FIG. 1B to theposition shown in FIG. 1C, the person 20 may track the laser beam 13relative to the first segment 60A and onto or proximate the secondsegment 60B of the first path 60. As the person 20 then shoots thebasketball 18 towards the hoop 52, moving from the position shown inFIG. 1C to the position shown in FIG. 1D, the person 20 may track thelaser beam 13 relative to the second segment 60B and onto or proximatethe third segment 60C of the first path 60. If the person 20 shoots thebasketball 18 using proper form and technique, the laser beam 13 maysubstantially follow the first path 60 throughout the shot. If theperson 20 shoots the basketball using a form or technique that deviatesfrom the specified form and technique, the laser beam 13 may deviatefrom the first path 60 in a lateral direction, thereby allowing theperson 20 (or someone assisting them) to detect the use of form andtechnique other than the specified form and technique.

The person 20 may practice shooting the basketball 18 towards the hoop52, with a specified form and technique, from the second position 72using the second path 62, or from the third position 74 using the thirdpath 74, in a substantially similar manner to that described in relationto the first position 70 and the first path 60.

Furthermore, the person 20 need not actually use a basketball 18 but,instead, may simply stand on the floor 38 at the first location 70, thesecond location 72, or the third location 74 and simulate shooting abasketball 18 towards the hoop 52 by carrying out theneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern used to actually shoot a basketball18 towards the hoop 52.

As the person 20 repeatedly shoots a basketball 18 towards a hoop 52 (orsimulates such shooting), while wearing the training device 10 andtracking the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 relative to apath 60, 62, 64 defined on a surface, the person 20 may develop musclememory associated with the neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern, therebyenabling the person 20 to consistently shoot the basketball 18 towards ahoop 52 with proper form and technique. Furthermore, biofeedback isprovided to the person 20 that allows the person 20 to recognize theadverse effects resulting from use of undesired form and technique toshoot the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52.

The training device 10, which embodies teachings of the presentinvention, is shown in detail in FIGS. 3A-3B. As previously discussed,the training device 10 may include an optical beam-emitting device suchas, for example, a laser device 12. The laser device 12 may be securedto a strap 14. By way of example and not limitation, a first end 78 ofthe strap 14 may be configured for releasable securement to a second end80 of the strap 14 using a hook and loop fastener material, such as thatsold under the tradename VELCRO. A first piece of material 16Acomprising a plurality of small hooks may be attached to a first side 82(FIG. 3B) of the strap 14 proximate the first end 78 thereof, and asecond piece of material 16B comprising a plurality of small loops maybe attached to a second side 84 (FIG. 3B) of the strap 14 proximate thesecond end 80 thereof. In this configuration, the strap 14 may bewrapped around the upper arm 24 of a person 20 (as illustrated in FIGS.1A-1D), and the first piece of material 16A may be pressed against thesecond piece of material 16B to secure the first end 78 of the strap 14to the second end 80 of the strap 14.

The strap 14 may further include a pocket 17. By way of example and notlimitation, the pocket 17 may be secured to the strap 14 by way of, forexample, stitching the pocket 17 to the strap 14 using thread or anotherfiber material, by adhering the pocket 17 to the strap using anadhesive, or by other appropriate fastening techniques as will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The pocket 17 mayinclude a slit or aperture 17′. A base member 15 may be provided thatincludes a first portion 88 configured to attach to the laser device 12,a second portion 90 configured to be disposed within the pocket 17, andan intermediate portion 15 configured to extend through the slit oraperture 17′ in the pocket 17. The first portion 88 may include, forexample, a substantially cylindrical member into which a portion of thelaser device 12 may be inserted, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. In additionalembodiments, the first portion 88 may not form a cylinder, and the firstportion 88 and the laser device 12 may be configured to provide a snapfit therebetween. In one embodiment, the second portion 90 of the basemember 15 may be substantially planar to allow the base member 15 to beinserted into the pocket 17. Furthermore, the base member 15 may besubstantially circular, as shown in FIG. 3A. In this configuration,relative rotation between the base member 15 (and the laser device 12secured thereto) and the strap 14 in the directions indicated by thedirectional arrow 96 in the two-dimensional X-Y plane may befacilitated. Such relative rotation and adjustment enables alignment ofthe laser device 12 and the laser beam 13 emitted thereby relative tothe body of the person 20, as previously described in relation to FIG.1A, once the device strap 14 is secured about the arm of a person 20. Inother words, in the embodiment shown and described with respect to FIGS.3A and 3B, the laser device 12 may be configured to move relative to thestrap 14 in two dimensions.

Another exemplary training device 100 is shown in FIG. 4 that embodiesteachings of the present invention. The training device 100 may includea laser device 12, which may be secured to a strap 14. The strap 14 andthe laser device 12 may be substantially similar to those previouslydescribed in relation to FIGS. 3A-3B. In the training device 100 shownin FIG. 4, however, the laser device 12 is directly inserted into apocket 102 on the strap 14. Thus, adjustment of the laser beam 13relative to the arm of a person 20 may include adjusting the securementof the device, and more particularly, the strap 14, relative to the armof person 20.

Another exemplary training device 110 is shown in FIG. 5 that embodiesteachings of the present invention. The training device 110 may begenerally similar to the training device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, andmay include a laser device 12 secured to a strap 14. In the trainingdevice 10 shown in FIG. 5, however, a ball joint 112 or other adjustmentmechanism is provided between the laser device 12 and the strap 14. Inthis configuration, relative movement between the laser device 12 andthe strap 14 in the directions indicated by the directional arrow 114may be facilitated (i.e., in the YZ plane) as well as in directionspreviously described with respect to other embodiments of the presentinvention. Such an adjustment mechanism enables the laser device 12 tomove in three dimensions relative to the strap 14. Facilitatingthree-dimensional movement between the laser device 12 and the strap 14may further facilitate alignment of the laser device 12 and the laserbeam 13 emitted thereby relative to the body of the person 20 in themanner previously described in relation to FIG. 1A.

Yet another exemplary training device 120 is shown in FIG. 6 thatembodies teachings of the present invention. The training device 120 mayinclude a laser device 12 attached to a sleeve 122. By way of exampleand not limitation, a pocket 124 may be provided on the sleeve 122, andthe laser device 12 may be inserted into the pocket 124. In additionalembodiments, the laser device 12 may be attached to the sleeve 122 usinga base member 15 in a manner substantially similar to that previouslydescribed in relation to FIGS. 3A-3B, or the laser device 12 may beattached to the sleeve 122 using a ball joint 112 in a mannersubstantially similar to that previously described in relation to FIG.5.

The sleeve 122 may include a generally cylindrical or tubular piece ofmaterial or fabric exhibiting a desired level of elasticity, and may besized and configured to fit snugly around the upper arm 24 of the bodyof a person 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D). In this configuration, the sleeve 122 maybe slid over the shooting hand 28 and onto the arm 22 of the body of theperson 20 when the person desires to use the training device 120. Thematerial of the sleeve 122 may be sized and configured such that thesleeve 122 stretches or expands as the sleeve 122 is slid onto the upperarm 24 of the body of the person, thereby providing a snug fit betweenthe sleeve 122 and the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20. Thismay facilitate maintenance of the laser device 12 in the alignedposition after the laser device 12 has been aligned as previouslydescribed in relation to FIG. 1A.

Another exemplary training device 130 is shown in FIG. 7 that embodiesteachings of the present invention. The training device 130 may includea laser device 12 attached to a sleeve 132. The laser device 12 may beattached to the sleeve 132 in any of the manners previously describedherein. The sleeve 132 may include a first portion 134 and a secondportion 136. The first portion 134 of the sleeve 132 may include arelatively rigid element configured to rest against the posterior side26 of the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20. For example, thefirst portion 134 of the sleeve 132 may include a relatively rigidmetal, metal alloy, or polymer material (including relatively rigidthermoplastic materials as well as relatively rigid thermosetmaterials). The second portion 136 of the sleeve 132 may include astretchable, elastomeric material or fabric configured to wrap aroundthe anterior side of the upper arm 24 of the body of the person 20 andto hold the first portion 134 against the posterior side 26 of the upperarm 24. By providing a relatively rigid first portion 134 on the sleeve132, maintenance of the laser device 12 in the aligned position afterthe laser device has been aligned as previously described in relation toFIG. 1A may be further facilitated.

In some embodiments, the first portion 134 may be shaped and contouredto conform to the triceps of the upper arm 24 of the body of a person20. Furthermore, the first portion 134 may be have a custom shape andcontour configured and specifically tailored to conform to the tricepsof the upper arm 24 of the body of a particular person 20. By way ofexample, the first portion 134 may include a material that may bereadily shaped or molded to conform to the triceps of the upper arm 24of the body of a particular person 20 such as, for example, a polymericmaterial having a glass transition temperature of less than about 100°C. By way of example and not limitation, the first portion 134 mayinclude a commercially available material such as that sold under thetradename ORTHOPLAST. By providing a custom fit between the firstportion 134 and the posterior side 26 of the upper arm 24 of aparticular person, maintenance of the laser device 12 in the alignedposition may be further facilitated.

Another exemplary training device 140 is shown in FIG. 8 that embodiesteachings of the present invention. The training device 140 may includea laser device 12 attached to a sleeve 142. The laser device 12 may beattached to the sleeve 142 in any of the manners previously describedherein. The sleeve 142 may include a first portion 144 and a secondportion 146. The first portion 144 of the sleeve 142 may be configuredto be positioned on or over the hand 28 and the lower arm of the body ofthe person 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D). The second portion 146 of the sleeve mayextend from, and may be continuous with, the first portion 144, and maybe configured to be positioned on or over the upper arm 24 of the bodyof the person 20. Both the first portion 144 and the second portion 146of the sleeve 142 may include a stretchable material or fabricconfigured to stretch as the sleeve 142 is placed on the hand 28 and arm22 of the body of the person 20. In some embodiments, the first portion144 of the sleeve 142 may be configured to cover at least a portion ofthe hand and even a portion of one or more fingers of the hand 28 of thebody of the person. As such, the first portion 144 may include, forexample, five apertures, each aperture configured to allow a finger orthumb of the hand 28 of the body of the person 20 to extendtherethrough.

In additional embodiments, the first portion 144 of the sleeve 142 mayextend only over a portion of the forearm of the person 20, such as, forexample, to the position represented by the dashed line 147. In thisconfiguration, the first portion 144 of the sleeve 142 does not coverany part of the hand 28 of the body of the person 20.

The laser device 12 of each of the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120,130, 140 previously described herein may be battery-operated (regardlessof whether such be rechargeable, replaceable, or disposable), and may befree from external cables or wires extending between the laser device 12and any other device. In this configuration, movement of the body of theperson 20 (FIGS. 1A-1D) may not be significantly hampered or constrictedwhen using training devices that embody teachings of the presentinvention (such as the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140).Furthermore, the laser device 12 may include a power on-off switch toprevent draining the battery when the training device 10 is not in use.

The training device 10 shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, the training device 100shown in FIG. 4, the training device 110 shown in FIG. 5, the trainingdevice 120 shown in FIG. 6, the training device 130 shown in FIG. 7, andthe training device 140 shown in FIG. 8 have been described as beingusable to teach a person proper technique for shooting a basketballtowards a hoop. It will be readily apparent, however, that each of thesetraining devices (as well as other training devices that embodyteachings of the present invention) may be used to teach a person anydesired neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern simply by attaching thetraining device to the body of the person, defining a line or path(whether linear, curvilinear or otherwise) on a specified surface, andcausing the person to repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motorpattern while tracking a beam emitted by an optical beam-emitting deviceof the training device relative to the predefined path.

As another example of neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns that may belearned by using a training device that embodies teachings of thepresent invention, any one of the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120,130, 140 previously described herein may be attached to the upper arm 24of the body of a person 20 in the manner previously described inrelation to FIG. 1A. The person 20 may enter a room, such as agymnasium. The person 20 may then throw a ball, such as a baseball or afootball, and the path traced on the surrounding walls, ceiling, andfloor by the laser beam 13 may be observed while also observing the formand technique of the person 20 throwing the ball. To improve the formand technique of the person 20, a path may be predefined, and optionallyvisually defined or physically marked, on at least one of thesurrounding walls, ceiling, and floor as previously described herein.The person 20 then may repeatedly throw the ball, or simulate throwing aball, while tracking the laser beam 13 relative to the predefined path.

To improve the golf swing of a person 20, a training device thatembodies teachings of the present invention may be attached to theforearm of the body of the person 20. Optionally, at least oneadditional training device may be attached to another part of the bodyof the person 20, such as, for example, the upper arm 24 (FIG. 1A). Thelaser device 12 of each training device may emit a laser beam 13 havinga different color, impingement area or intensity to facilitatedistinguishing between the laser beams 13 emitted by different laserdevices 12. The person 20 may enter a room, such as a gymnasium. Theperson 20 may then swing a golf club, and the path or paths traced onthe surrounding walls, ceiling, and floor by the laser beams 13 may beobserved while also observing the form and technique of the person 20swinging the golf club. To improve the form and technique of the person20, a path or paths may be predefined, and optionally visually definedor physically marked, on at least one of the surrounding walls, ceiling,and floor as previously described herein. The person 20 then mayrepeatedly swing the golf club or simulate swinging the golf club whiletracking the laser beam or beams 13 relative to the predefined path orpaths.

To improve the form of a particular competitive diving maneuver, awater-proof or water-resistant training device that embodies teachingsof the present invention may be attached to at least one of the head,arm, torso, and leg of the body of the person 20. The person 20 may thenperform the diving maneuver, and the path traced on the surroundingwalls, ceiling, and water surface by the laser beam 13 may be observedwhile also observing the form and technique of the person 20 performingthe diving maneuver. To improve the form and technique of the person 20,a path or paths may be predefined, and optionally visually defined orphysically marked, on at least one of the surrounding walls, ceiling,and water surface as previously described herein. The person 20 then mayrepeatedly perform the diving maneuver while tracking the laser beams 13relative to the predefined path or paths. Gymnastic maneuvers may beimproved by using training devices that embody teachings of the presentinvention in a substantially similar manner.

As evidenced by the above examples, the neuromuscular motor patternsthat may be learned or improved by using training devices that embodyteachings of the present invention according to the methods describedherein are virtually unlimited in number and type, and the devices andmethods described herein may exhibit utility in activities that are notrelated to sports or other competitive activities. By way of example andnot limitation, the training devices and methods described herein may beused to aid a physical therapy patient in conducting a predefinedneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern.

Systems for teaching a person proper technique for performing apredefined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern may be provided using atraining device that embodies teachings of the present invention, suchas, for example, any one of the training devices 10, 100, 110, 120, 130,140.

A person 20 is illustrated in FIG. 9 using a system that embodiesteachings of the present invention. The system may include a basketballhoop 52, a training device 10 as previously described herein, and asurface having a visually defined or physically marked path thereon. Byway of example and not limitation, a path 148 may be visually defined orphysically marked on the floor 38, as shown in FIG. 9. Furthermore, thepath 148 may be visually defined on the floor 38 using an additionallaser or other optical device 150. The path 148 may be defined relativeto a center of the basketball hoop 52 and the position of the person 20relative to the basketball hoop 52.

In some embodiments, the additional laser or other optical device 150may be a portable laser device capable of being moved to any desiredlocation on the floor 38. In additional embodiments, the additionallaser device 150 may be attached to the body of the person 20 andoriented so as to visually define the path 148 on the floor 38. Forexample, the additional laser or other optical device 150 may beattached to a shoe 152 disposed on a foot of the body of the person 20.In this configuration, as the person 20 moves between various locationson the floor 38 and shoots the basketball 18 towards the hoop 52, theadditional laser device 150, when attached to a shoe 152, may be used tovisually define the path 148 along at least one surface, such as thefloor 38.

In additional embodiments, the path 148 may be visually defined orphysically marked on at least one of the ceiling 40, back wall 42, firstside wall 44, and second side wall 46, in addition to, or as analternative to, the floor 38. Furthermore, the path 148 need not bevisually defined using an additional laser device 150, and may bephysically marked in any desired manner such as, for example, usingtape, paint, chalk, etc., as previously described herein. Optionally,the system may include a sensor 156. The sensor 156 may be configured todetect the laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 (FIGS. 3A-3B) ofthe training device 10. By way of example and not limitation, the sensor156 may be configured to provide an audible signal or a visual signal tothe person 20 when the laser beam 13 impinges on the sensor 156. In thisconfiguration, the sensor 156 may be positioned at any desired locationalong a defined path relative to which the person 20 desires to trackthe laser beam 13. By way of example and not limitation, the sensor 156may be placed on the back wall 42, as shown in FIG. 9. In alternativeembodiments, the sensor 156 may be placed at any desired locationrelative to the floor 38, ceiling 40, first side wall 44, or the secondside wall 46. Furthermore, the sensor 156 may be sized and configured soas to allow the sensor 156 to be placed on the hoop 52 or on the backboard 54. Furthermore, if the backboard 54 comprises a material that istransparent to the laser beam 13, the sensor 156 may be mounted behindor on the back side of the back board 54. If desired, multiple sensorsmay be positioned at multiple locations along the desired path in orderto facilitate tracking of the laser beam 13 relative to the definedpath.

Optionally, a camera device 160 may be used to record the position ofthe laser beam 13 emitted by the laser device 12 of the training device10 relative to the path 148. By way of example and not limitation, thecamera device 160 may include a high-speed camera device, which may beconfigured and positioned so as to allow recording of theneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern effectuated by the person 20,together with the trajectory of the laser beam 13 relative to thephysical surroundings. The recording produced by the camera device 160then may be reviewed and used to provide visual feedback to the person20 regarding the relative locations of the path actually traced by thelaser beam 13 and the desired, predefined path 148 on the one or moresurrounding surfaces. In this manner, the recording produced by thecamera device 160 may provide visual feedback to the person 20 regardingthe person's form and technique, thereby allowing the person 20 torecognize and identify aspects of the person's form and technique thatneed improvement. Furthermore, to further facilitate observation of thepath traced on the surrounding surfaces by the laser beam 13 emitted bya laser device 12 of a training device 10, the lights may be dimmed orcompletely shut off in the room in which the person 20 is using thetraining device 10.

While the present invention has been described herein with respect tocertain embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognizeand appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions,deletions and modifications to the preferred embodiments may be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined withfeatures of another embodiment while still being encompassed within thescope of the invention as contemplated by the inventors. Further, theinvention has utility in any situation in which it is desired to teach aperson neuromusculoskeletal motor patterns, in addition to its utilityin teaching a person to shoot a basketball with proper form.

1. A method of teaching a person a neuromusculoskeletal motor patterncomprising: attaching an optical beam-emitting device to the body of aperson; defining a path on a specified surface; and causing the personto repeat a predetermined neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern whiletracking a beam emitted by the optical beam-emitting device relative tothe path.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching an opticalbeam-emitting device to the body of a person includes attaching a laserdevice to the body of a person and wherein tracking a beam emitted bythe optical beam-emitting device includes tracking a laser beam.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein causing the person to repeat a predeterminedneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern comprises causing the person torepeat a neuromusculoskeletal motor pattern associated with shooting abasketball towards a hoop.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein attaching alaser device to the body of a person comprises attaching a laser deviceto the upper arm of the body of the person.
 5. The method of claim 4,wherein attaching a laser device to the upper arm of the body of theperson comprises positioning the laser device adjacent a posterior sideof the upper arm of the person.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinattaching a laser device to the upper arm of the body of the personfurther comprises: securing the device to an elongated strap; andwrapping the strap around the upper arm of the body of the person. 7.The method of claim 4, wherein attaching a laser device to the upper armof the body of the person further comprises: securing the device to asleeve of stretchable material configured to slide over the upper arm ofthe body of the person; and sliding the sleeve over a hand and onto theupper arm of the body of the person.
 8. The method of claim 3, whereindefining a path on a specified surface further comprises visuallydefining or physically marking a path on a specified surface.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein visually defining or physically marking apath on a specified surface further comprises visually defining orphysically marking a path on at least one of a floor, a wall, a ceiling,a basketball backboard, and a basketball hoop.
 10. The method of claim8, wherein visually defining or physically marking a path on a specifiedsurface comprises physically marking a path on a specified surface usingat least one of tape, paint, and chalk.
 11. The method of claim 8,wherein visually defining or physically marking a path on a specifiedsurface comprises visually defining a path on a specified surface usingat least one additional laser beam emitted by at least one additionallaser device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein visually defining apath on a specified surface using at least one additional laser beamemitted by at least one additional laser device comprises: attaching anadditional laser device to a shoe disposed on a foot of the body of theperson; and visually defining the path on at least one of a floor, awall, a ceiling, a basketball backboard, and a basketball hoop using anadditional laser beam emitted by the additional laser device attached tothe shoe.
 13. The method of claim 3, further comprising: recording theposition of the laser beam emitted by the laser device relative to thepath while causing the person to repeat a predeterminedneuromusculoskeletal motor pattern using a camera device; and reviewinga recording produced by the camera device.
 14. The method of claim 3,wherein defining a path on specified surface further comprises defininga path disposed in a two-dimensional plane passing through a basketballhoop and oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane in which thebasketball hoop is disposed.
 15. A system for teaching a person propertechnique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop, the systemcomprising: a strap or sleeve configured to be secured to an upper armof a person; an optical beam-emitting device attached to the strap orsleeve; a basketball hoop; and a surface having a visually defined orphysically marked path thereon, the path being visually defined orphysically marked relative to a center of a basketball hoop and anintended position of a person relative to the basketball hoop.
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the optical beam emitting device includes alaser device configured to emit a laser beam.
 17. The system of claim16, wherein the strap or sleeve comprises a sleeve having a portionthereof configured to be positioned over the hand of the person, theportion including at least five apertures, each aperture configured toallow a finger or thumb of the body of the person to extendtherethrough.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the laser device ismoveably coupled to the strap or sleeve.
 19. The system of claim 16,wherein the laser device is configured to pivot in at least twodimensions relative to the strap or sleeve.
 20. The system of claim 19,wherein the laser device is configured to pivot in three dimensionsrelative to the strap or sleeve.
 21. The system of claim 20, furthercomprising a ball joint coupled to the laser device and configured tofacilitate the pivoting of the laser device relative to the strap orsleeve.
 22. The system of claim 16, further comprising a sensor locatedproximate the basketball hoop and configured to provide at least one ofan audible signal and a visible signal when the laser beam emitted bythe laser device impinges on the sensor.
 23. An apparatus for teaching aperson proper technique for shooting a basketball towards a hoop, theapparatus comprising: a strap or sleeve sized and configured to besecured to an upper arm of a body of a person; and a laser devicerotatably attached to the strap or sleeve and configured to emit a laserbeam; wherein the apparatus is free from external cables or wiresextending between the laser device and any other device external of thestrap or sleeve.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the strap orsleeve comprises a sleeve having a first portion sized and configured tobe positioned over the upper arm of a body of a person and secondportion sized and configured to be positioned over the forearm of a bodyof a person.
 25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the strap or sleevecomprises a sleeve having a portion thereof sized and configured to bepositioned over a hand of the person, the portion including at leastfive apertures, each aperture configured to allow a finger or thumb ofthe body of the person to extend therethrough.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the laser device is moveably attached to the strap orsleeve.
 27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the laser device isconfigured to pivot in at least two dimensions relative to the strap orsleeve.
 28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the laser device isconfigured to pivot in three dimensions relative to the strap or sleeve.29. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a ball joint coupledto the laser device and facilitating the pivoting of the laser devicerelative to the strap or sleeve.